Teacher Detained By Police After Uploading A $4 Dollar History Book

[Guest Ethan]

Teacher Detained By Police After Uploading A $4 Dollar History Book

After receiving a complaint filed by the book’s author, Latvian authorities decided to detain a history teacher who uploaded the manual on his website to help his students learn. Now, he risks getting two years in jail, a fat fine or to be forced to work for his community.

The name of the Latvian teacher is Pāvels Jurs, a young mind whose intent was to help his class get the information they need via the internet. To that end, the history teacher had put up a website where his students could access history topics, watch presentations, and get the help they need to learn. His purpose was to provide with education not just for his pupils, but also for those who can’t afford the “luxury” of buying a book, even if it’s as low as $4. Jurs’ “pay it forward” technique was recognized by the country’s Ministry of Education, the Latvian mass-media informed.

However, all this did not matter to the Economic Crime Bureau. Four police officers detained the professor, but not before searching his home, and seizing his personal computer.

After two hours of questioning, Jurs was informed that he’s being guilty of a “serious offense” that could get him two years in jail. Two years for a $4 dollar book. Two years for someone who did not profit from uploading the book, except maybe a couple of “thank you” notes from bookworms and students.

Meanwhile, his website was shut down, leaving students without resources right during their exams.

“Is there really such a need for punitive action against these methods of teaching, such as the maintenance of a websites from which I did not receive any benefit, but, on the contrary, cost most of my salary payments for maintenance? I understand that I have violated copyright laws, but is it really necessary to act this way?” Jurs told a local media website.

A settlement was discussed, but details remain undisclosed.